An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or
other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward
a lower zone in the reactor. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which
a sludge blanket control mechanism, such as an auger, is positioned to force solids
to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum
so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized
in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from
forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to
extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from
the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may
also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel
or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered
as desired.
